Pitcher&#39;s target.



A. G. EVERSON.

PITGHBRS TARGET. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, 1912.

1,043,308, I Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

arfozncq ALBERT G. EVERSON, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

PITCHERS TARGET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

To all whom it concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT G. EvERsoN,

of Wilmington, in the county of Newcastle and State of Delaware, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pitchers Targets; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap- 1o. pertains to make and use the same.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a target for the practice of baseball pitchers, and so arranged that all balls properly delivered, and which would, in, a game,

count as strikes are separately; returned from those balls imperfectly pitched or delivered and which count as balls; and a further object is to separately record the number of perfect and imperfect balls as they are returned to the pitcher, thereby enabling him to keep an accurate record of his practice work. p

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation, with parts brokenaway and parts in section. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectlonal view) Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a sheet,-preferably of canvas, and rectangular in outline. This sheet may be supported by any suitable means, that shown consisting of a frame 2 of piping. In its center this sheet has an oblong vertically extending opening 3, the length of which corresponds to the distance between the knee and shoulder of a man of ordinary height, while its width corresponds to that of the home which extends forward from the tar et sufficiently far to return the balls to he pitcher. Extending across the face of the sheet, beneath the o ning 3, is a second trough 8 which is inc ed in opposite direc- Application filed February 27, 1912. Serial No. 680,281.

tions from the two side edges of the sheet, the ,two branches of the trough meeting at a po nt to one side of opening 3. From their point of meeting these two branches of the inclined trough open into a second inclined way 9 by which all imperfectly pitched balls are returned to the pitcher.

On each of the inclined return ways I locate any suitable registering device, as conventionally indicated at 10, and having each a trip 12 which extends into the paths of travel of the balls, whereby an accurate record may be kept of all balls thrown, regardless of whether they are perfectly or imperfectly delivered.

By means of my invention an exceedingly simple device is obtained for the exercise and improvement of baseball pitchers, who are thereby enabled to practise without the assistance of another person, and at the same t1me they may reserve an accurate record of the work per ormed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A target of the character described consisting of a sheet having a vertical opening, a pocket in rear of said opening, a trough leading from said pocket, a second trough to receive balls striking the sheet outside of the opening, and separate ways extending forwardly from the target and leading from each of the troughs.

2. A target of the character described consisting of a sheet of flexible material having a vertical opening, a pocket of flexible material in rear of said opening, a trough in rear of the sheet leading from said pocket, a second trough in front of the sheet and extending transversely thereof, and separate ways extending forwardly from the sheet and leading from each of the troughs.

3. A target of the character described consisting of a sheet having a vertical opening, a pocket in rear of said opening, a trough leading from said pocket, asecond trough to receive balls striking the sheet outside of the opening, separate ways extending forwardly from the target and leading from each of the troughs, and registering devices having actuating members in said ways. 4'. A target of the character described consisting of a flexible sheet having a vertical opening, a pocket in rear of said opening,

the bottom of said pocket being inclined forwardly; a'.nd to one side, a trough at the rear of the sheet leading from. said iocket, a specification in'the presence of'two subscribsecond trough extending tranlsverse ydoi'r the ing witnesses. sheet beneath the o ning an incline om the opposite side edges thereof, separate re- BERT EVERSON' 5 turn ways leading from said troughs, and Witnesses: registering means connected to said troughs. HARRY P. TABER,

In testimony whereof, I have signed this C. E. MACCARROLL. 

